Originally Posted by
nwflyboy
The "up to" language is right there. They're NOT saying you'll get 2X on bookings for Singapore Airlines business class.
And even if you do...if using UR points - as cash equivalents - to pay for "Premium cabin airfare" is the only time you can expect any "points boost" then you better bring a mountain of points, because you're gonna need millions of them to pay of a seat up front.
IME the best use of UR points - when used as cash equivalents - has always been for small hotels or short flights in coach on minor airlines - in both cases using points to pay for things that would otherwise be impossible to pay for with points. Buying a seat up front on SQ would be incredibly costly.
Yes, the "up to" language is there, what I am saying is that it may be more structured than what you said and not completely dynamic. That is, premium cabin fares get higher multipliers and maybe promoted flights. It isn't clear, but what is clear from the links above is that it is related to cabin. You are correct that paying for premium cabins using UR points to pay is a terrible use of UR points, but dynamic awards on the majors are starting to make it look better.
Your statement about "things that would otherwise be impossible to pay for with points" isn't necessarily true any more. I priced out a domestic itinerary in coach on UA and they wanted 145k points for three passengers. I was able to get the same itinerary with 107k UR points. It's not the same as the old days of 25K domestic awards on UA. Certainly cheap point flights for domestic might be available, but it's not a given.